Description

Hold a series of ‘Crafternoons’ during the summer months at your home. Buy craft equipment, invite families and produce engaging creations based around different stories. Tell the stories using the crafts, and then talk about what the stories mean.

You could:

Focus on a range of children’s stories and then in preparation think about how they communicate the truths of the Christian faith. The Hungry Caterpillar for example has simple messages about rebirth and new life. The idea is not to embed that in the conversation but to be prepared that there may be natural opportunities that God provides.

Use a mixture of biblical and non biblical stories, with agreement from your friends.

Provide refreshments, and ensure that the crafts are tricky enough for the parents and children to need to work together.

Rationale

Have a fun and educational time with other families during the long summer holidays.

Pray for opportunities to explain your faith naturally during discussions. This is not about trying to ‘shoe horn’ the Christians faith into conversations, but praying and trusting God to provide natural opportunities.

Outcome

Families engage with fun activities, and conversations about faith may develop.

Other requirements

Risk assessment

Additional requirements:

About this author

The Ugly Duckling Company

UNITED KINGDOM

CharityThe Ugly Duckling Company is a registered Charity, founded in 1997.

PurposeThe charity exists to stimulate conversations around 'the big' and 'not-so-big' questions of life.

TrusteesThe charity is managed by a group of Trustees. Those serving as Trustees have been drawn from a number of backgrounds; legal, education, business and the charity sector.

Staff, Volunteers and AssociatesThe charity currently employs four members of staff to facilitate the purposes of the charity. They are aided by the work of several volunteers with financial and design skills. In addition to these the charity also has some associates who facilitate their initiatives in various locations across the UK.

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Engagement Level

Building relationships:

A social event, a gathering of friends or an event run by a group of Christians to which their friends are invited. The only spiritual conversations that take place, are the unplanned ones as people get to know one another.

Community engagement:

An activity that intentionally supports people in the local community. For example: door-to-door evangelism, a Toddler group where Christians intentionally mingle and make friends with those attending, or a Foodbank drop in session. Spiritual conversations may develop as connections are made and people are served.

Informal:

An event in a relaxed setting with intentional spiritual conversation. For example: a social event, such as a meal with a Christian after dinner speaker, sharing the gospel or a personal story with others, or exploring the Christian faith with a local school.

Formal:

An evangelistic course run over several weeks to which friends are invited. There is an element of presentation and discussion.

Church:

A church service, including seeker friendly and invitational services such as ‘The Big Welcome’ or ‘Back to Church Sunday’.